tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-111039902018-03-05T21:26:22.582-06:00Wood-N-WorksWorking with wood which has been created and nurtured by God is a relaxing and fulfilling hobby. I hope to illustrate this blog with handiwork which comes from my work and I hope you will enjoy seeing these photos. I also hope to add to essays and thoughts I have added previously to "Things Unseen". Carlin Brooksnoreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11103990.post-34054427442407464112018-01-20T21:14:00.000-06:002018-01-20T21:14:53.017-06:00The Plan of Salvation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings></xml><![endif]--><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> 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mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:107%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style><![endif]--> <br /><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></div>I have been studying the book of Romans for several months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I am taking a class with Bible Study Fellowship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>(Check out&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bsfinternational.org/">https://www.bsfinternational.org/ </a>and&nbsp;learn about this group which has offered classes for children and adults for some 65 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They are based in San Antonio and I only learned about them last Summer.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The material for each class has been used for many years and is very, very good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I highly recommend that you find a class near you and get involved.<br /><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal">I have also been taking a online class offered by Udemy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>(<a href="http://www.udemy.com/">www.udemy.com</a>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The class is taught by N.T. Wright and source material includes the new <u>Paul For Everyone</u> commentary written by N.T. Wright and the new translation of the New Testament, <u>The Kingdom New Testament</u>, again written by N.T. Wright.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I find the Bible Study Fellowship study guides and lectures to be a good and necessary balance to N.T. Wright’s lectures and material.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I also have been leaning heavily on the NIV, NET and NLT translations I more commonly use, along with my NIV Study Bible notes.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">We just finished the first 8 chapters and as chapter 8 climaxed I was moved to write some words responding to the last chapter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>In particular, I found verses 18-25 to move me in ways I had not experienced before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><i>Please understand that these are my own thoughts, not N.T. Wrights or BSF, but my own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>These thoughts have been fermenting in my brain for many years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Please do not adopt these thoughts for yourself without much prayer, meditation and study.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><i>&nbsp;</i> </span>Here is what I wrote:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“This scripture gives me a glorious view of God’s plan of salvation, not just for individuals, but for all of creation.&nbsp; Suffering we endure here compared to the Glory God has planned is completely overshadowed by that Glory!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The Glory to come is not just a glory we can view, but it is a glory that God intends to share with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>This scripture implies a time for us to share the triumph earned by Jesus and reign with Him over a continuing creation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Creation is groaning, waiting for this victory over evil, death and decay to become a reality, for it to be finally revealed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Look at the ending verses in Psalms 96, 97 and 98 – see the anticipation of creation which was pent up even in the time of the Old Testament.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">What will it look like??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We are united with Jesus Christ living in a incorruptible body with no pain, no disease, and no evil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Jesus has defeated Satan and his demons and shipped them off to the abyss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>He is well on His way to creating a New Heaven/Earth with no Sea, no separation from God the Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There is no night, God is the Light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We have been changed so that we can enjoy fellowship with God and his angels along with all those who have been redeemed by Jesus.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">All who have lived and died under the illusion of Satan can now see that his way was a sham.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Satan was a loser.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Could it be possible that they might have a chance to change teams??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Would it be consistent with the character of God, His Son and His Holy Spirit for those who have been deceived to have a second chance?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">What <i>is</i> the activity of the New Heaven/Earth?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Sure it will consist of praising and honoring our Holy and Righteous God and Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We will pay homage to Jesus and His Spirit and see them as we have never imagined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But what will we do to assist Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>He works to complete the creation intended since Eden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But to what end??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There is a new playing field and a new task.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Those who have been deceived by Satan can now see a demonstration of God’s true sovereignty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>There is a fascinating scripture in 1 Peter 3:18-20 which has puzzled me for a long time:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></div><div class="MsoNormal">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>After being made alive, He went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>To those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, while the ark was being built.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>In it only a few people, eight in all were saved through water…</i>”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Jesus was awakened after dying a horrible death and did what??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>He preached to the people who were deceived by Satan into ignoring Noah and his efforts to convince people that God was real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>To what end?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>What good could come from that proclamation?? Jesus would not have done that unless there was some hope of even those souls being redeemed!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">It is horrible to think of the people who died in the flood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Every man woman child, baby … even every innocent animal who needed the breath of life perished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Maybe, just maybe our task will be to join Jesus in His mission to give those who passed up their chance in life to follow Him because of Satan’s deception, a second chance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Satan is no more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Evil is no more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The environment is like Eden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>No weeds, no evil, no tempter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>God’s sovereign reign can no longer be denied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>People can see without doubt that to reject God is the most foolish act a being can make.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They will gladly enlist in His service along with us who lived as faithfully as we could.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">1 Peter 3:18-20 may not be enough evidence to support this dream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But it sure is a pleasant dream.&nbsp; And it sure fits in with the vision I have of a loving and merciful God.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">God bless.</div></div>Carlin Brookshttps://plus.google.com/107514792240606633307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11103990.post-91314231854390230772017-09-03T23:50:00.002-05:002017-09-04T00:19:06.470-05:00Handmade Wooden Pens<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>&nbsp;Can I tell you just a bit about my hobby? <br /><br />Pens are a delight to make. &nbsp;"Bullet Pens" are very popular among hunters and gun enthusiasts. &nbsp;I also enjoy twist pens, click pens and fountain pens. &nbsp;It is a thrill to take a rectangular shaped piece of rough "firewood" and turn it on a lathe. &nbsp;Seeing the grain of the wood clarify into a beautiful example of the nature of the wood can be most satisfying as you can see in this photo:<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="252" data-original-width="189" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FmG0elOryNE/WazgzzV3zzI/AAAAAAAAgGY/Urs72KQbKycqkuLWfjlVSNF38dTWoOo2ACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_1705.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wood-N-Works/dp/B01HWZS3RW?ie=UTF8&amp;*Version*=1&amp;*entries*=0">Wood-N-Works</a></td></tr></tbody></table></div>Carlin Brookshttps://plus.google.com/107514792240606633307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11103990.post-15567984056925868672016-09-10T15:07:00.000-05:002016-11-29T17:59:46.320-06:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><b>Trust in God</b><br /><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;comic sans ms&quot;;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;comic sans ms&quot;;">I join millions of people who have gone before in the following convictions:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;comic sans ms&quot;;">“I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.&nbsp; I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our LORD, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;comic sans ms&quot;;">On the third day He rose again!&nbsp;&nbsp;He ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;comic sans ms&quot;;">I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic (universal) church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;comic sans ms&quot;;">Amen.” &nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;comic sans ms&quot;;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;comic sans ms&quot;;">(These words are from the Apostle's Creed. &nbsp;I believe they are true because I find evidence of their truth in the Bible. &nbsp;I appreciate the effort made by the many believers who worked to summarize "what we believe" centuries ago so it could be more easily taught to others.)&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;comic sans ms&quot;;">I believe that because God is our maker, redeemer and sustainer, we owe Him worship, loyalty, respect and the most perfect obedience we can accomplish.&nbsp; We owe him our trust.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;comic sans ms&quot;;">And, I believe in …<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;comic sans ms&quot;;"><b><i>Grace</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;comic sans ms&quot;;">What a concept! &nbsp;It is by Grace that we are saved. &nbsp;If we got what we deserved, we would be condemned. &nbsp;But God looks at us with Love and Mercy and has designed a "Plan of Salvation." &nbsp;Through the sacrifice of his only Son, Jesus Christ we have hope, yea even Assurance, of our sins being forgiven.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;comic sans ms&quot;;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;comic sans ms&quot;;">Monroe Hawley wrote this in 1976 in his book <u>Redigging the Wells:</u></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;comic sans ms&quot;;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;comic sans ms&quot;;">"A reexamination of the subject of divine grace will help us to be less judgmental. &nbsp;Most of us appreciate the fact that God will forgive repeated moral sins, providing genuine repentance accompanies confession of wrong. &nbsp;We know that God will forgive His child who repeatedly loses his temper but consistently tries to overcome his weakness. &nbsp;... <i>However, many do not realize that God extends His grace to doctrinal matters.</i>" &nbsp;page 211</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;comic sans ms&quot;;">Moral mistakes are erased by the power of the blood of Christ. &nbsp;Horrible and ugly sins such as murder, dishonesty, adultery, slander, gossip and such like, can be forgiven because of Jesus' sacrifice. &nbsp;But if that is true, what about the errors of judgment we make about religion? &nbsp;There are many who surrender their life to Jesus Christ and serve Him all their lives to the very best of their understanding and ability. &nbsp;Yet, many follow very different specific practices and rules because they are members of different denominations, or choose to follow different teachers and leaders.&nbsp; Well intentioned leaders make rules which never should be made and exclude or include folks they should not. &nbsp;If they knew better they would do better, but they neither know or do. &nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;comic sans ms&quot;;">It is puzzling and depressing to see the small number of humans who <i><b>think</b></i> they are destined for salvation on the basis of being in the "right" group, and in agreement with the "right" leaders. &nbsp;I find great comfort and hope in the fact that God will be just as merciful and forgiving in dealing with our doctrinal mistakes as with our moral ones. &nbsp;I hope this is the case, because we are all wrong about something. &nbsp;If it is not true is there really any hope for any of us? &nbsp;We are all wrong about something. &nbsp;If we knew what we are wrong about we would surely correct it.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;comic sans ms&quot;;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: &quot;comic sans ms&quot;;">"</span><span class="versenum" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">4&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;verdana&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-28285E" data-link="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-28285E&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference E&quot;&gt;E&lt;/a&gt;)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;verdana&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;verdana&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">&nbsp;To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand." &nbsp;Romans 14:4</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;comic sans ms&quot;;">I really believe that all of us will be pleasantly surprised when we find folks in heaven that we never expected to see again. &nbsp;If this is true, we need to give serious thought to how we treat the people with whom we disagree today.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;comic sans ms&quot;;">The thing I really do not want to be wrong about is my condemnation or criticism of a brother or sister in Christ who is no more mistaken about religion than I am myself.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;comic sans ms&quot;;">So, do we just keep on sinning and be unconcerned about moral and doctrinal matters?&nbsp; As Paul said in Romans 6 – “God forbid…”&nbsp; How can we not be even more concerned about what God wants of us, knowing what He has done and what He has planned for us?!&nbsp;&nbsp;I pray that more and more we can surrender our will to His.&nbsp; I pray that we will view those who are “less fortunate” with compassion and empathy instead of fear and repulsion. Trust Jesus.&nbsp; Imitate Him.&nbsp; Be a brother or sister with no reservation to all others who are trying to do the same.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;comic sans ms&quot;;">Just thinking.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;comic sans ms&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>Be good to yourself. &nbsp;- Carlin</i><o:p></o:p></span></div></div>Carlin Brookshttps://plus.google.com/107514792240606633307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11103990.post-69733222678827736352015-12-23T22:10:00.002-06:002015-12-23T22:25:05.142-06:00Love Your Enemies? Really?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #646862; font-family: Trebuchet, Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Console', Monaco, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.15999984741211px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 8px;">These words by Frederick Buechner seem even more timely today then when he first published them in 1988.<br /><br />"ENEMY<br /><br />Cain hated Abel for standing higher in God's esteem than he felt he himself did, so he killed him. King Saul hated David for stealing the hearts of the people with his winning ways and&nbsp;<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">tried to kill him every chance he got. Saul of Tarsus hated the followers of Jesus because he thought they were blasphemers and heretics and made a career of rounding them up so they could be stoned to death like Stephen. By and large most of us don't have enemies like that anymore, and in a way it's a pity.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #646862; font-family: Trebuchet, Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Console', Monaco, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.15999984741211px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 8px;">It would be pleasant to think it's because we're more civilized nowadays, but maybe it's only because we're less honest, open, brave. We tend to avoid fiery outbursts for fear of what they may touch off both in ourselves and the ones we burst out at. We smolder instead. If people hurt us or cheat us or stand for things we abominate, we're less apt to bear arms against them than to bear grudges. We stay out of their way. When we declare war, it is mostly submarine warfare, and since our attacks are beneath the surface, it may be years before we know fully the damage we have either given or sustained.</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #646862; font-family: Trebuchet, Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Console', Monaco, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.15999984741211px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 8px;">Jesus says we are to love our enemies and pray for them, meaning love not in an emotional sense but in the sense of willing their good, which is the sense in which we love ourselves. It is a tall order even so. African Americans love white supremacists? The longtime employee who is laid off just before he qualifies for retirement with a pension love the people who call him in to break the news? The mother of the molested child love the molester? But when you see as clearly as that who your enemies are, at least you see your enemies clearly too.</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #646862; font-family: Trebuchet, Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Console', Monaco, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.15999984741211px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 8px;">You see the lines in their faces and the way they walk when they're tired. You see who their husbands and wives are, maybe. You see where they're vulnerable. You see where they're scared. Seeing what is hateful about them, you may catch a glimpse also of where the hatefulness comes from. Seeing the hurt they cause you, you may see also the hurt they cause themselves. You're still light-years away from loving them, to be sure, but at least you see how they are human even as you are human, and that is at least a step in the right&nbsp;<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">direction. It's possible that you may even get to where you can pray for them a little, if only that God forgive them because you yourself can't, but any prayer for them at all is a major breakthrough.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #646862; font-family: Trebuchet, Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Console', Monaco, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.15999984741211px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 8px;">In the long run, it may be easier to love the ones we look in the eye and hate, the enemies, than the ones whom—because we're as afraid of ourselves as we are of them—we choose not to look at, at all."</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #646862; font-family: Trebuchet, Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Console', Monaco, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.15999984741211px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 8px;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #646862; font-family: Trebuchet, Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Console', Monaco, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.15999984741211px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 8px;">~originally published in&nbsp;<a href="http://frederickbuechner.com/page-group/book/genre/whistling-dark" style="color: #b35a32; text-decoration: none;">Whistling in the Dark</a>&nbsp;and later in&nbsp;<a href="http://frederickbuechner.com/page-group/book/genre/beyond-words-daily-readings-abcs-faith" style="color: #b35a32; text-decoration: none;">Beyond Words</a></div></div>Carlin Brookshttps://plus.google.com/107514792240606633307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11103990.post-20330823602788373292015-04-10T09:37:00.002-05:002015-04-10T09:41:47.589-05:00 God's Shalom Project<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">This is one of the best books I have ever read. &nbsp;Our congregation is spending 31 weeks reading "The Story" and concentrating on the overall story of God's dealing with mankind. &nbsp;This book is a wonderful, brief, easy to read explanation of what God had planned for us from the beginning of time. &nbsp;The author uses a unique technique to provide additional understanding: &nbsp;At the end of each chapter he responds to questions raised by an imaginary couple who are "reading" along with you.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7A2AWuhJ4So/VSffn0UCX4I/AAAAAAAAcbc/_PP9zpAwjYA/s1600/download.jpg" height="320" width="210" /></div><br />Click on this link to go to the book in Amazon: &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gods-Shalom-Project-engaging-sweeping/dp/1561484628/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">God's Shalom Project</a><br /><br />You will be blessed by reading this book.</div>Carlin Brookshttps://plus.google.com/107514792240606633307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11103990.post-8215843994960572472014-12-15T12:49:00.000-06:002014-12-15T12:49:16.977-06:00Humans Are NOT Mere Animals<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The statement, "Human beings are only animals." &nbsp;does not and has never rung with TRUTH. &nbsp;But why not? &nbsp;How can we describe that which makes us different from the animals?<div><br /></div><div>Walker Percy wrote this observation: &nbsp;"Chickens have no myths, but man always knows or thinks he knows what is under the earth and above the earth, and what is holding the earth up." &nbsp;This quote is actually from an introduction Percy wrote to a manual for Louisiana State University's mental-health services. &nbsp;His subject had to do with mental-health therapy. &nbsp;The Chicken analogy shines the spotlight of thought on how ridiculous it would be to imagine using therapy on Chickens, or fish, or animals of any kind. &nbsp;They have no language by which they could understand "story" or "myths" or any other similar concepts which we humans take for granted.</div><div><br /></div><div>From earliest times humans have been able to communicate in symbols representing concepts. &nbsp;Words, pictures and objects represent both a title or description and an understanding of the nature of being.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you would like to explore Percy's development of this line of thought, here is a link to a site devoted to his life and writings:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://walkerpercyonline.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://walkerpercyonline.blogspot.com/</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Have a blessed day.</div></div>Carlin Brookshttps://plus.google.com/107514792240606633307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11103990.post-41480941118243942902013-10-19T20:42:00.000-05:002013-10-19T20:42:07.219-05:00My friend, Dave Simpson<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Charles Kingsley wrote:&nbsp;</span><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"One good man, one man who does not put on his religion once a week with his Sunday coat, but wears it for his working dress, and lets the thought of God grow into him, and through and through him, till everything he says and does becomes religious, that man is worth a thousand sermons -- he is a living Gospel -- he comes in the spirit and power of Elias -- he is the image of God. And men see his good works, and admire them in spite of themselves, and see that they are God-like, and that God's grace is no dream, but that the Holy Spirit is still among men, and that all nobleness and manliness is His gift, His stamp, His picture: and so they get a glimpse of God again in His saints and heroes, and glorify their Father who is in heaven."&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He must have known Dave Simpson. I have known no better man.</span></div></div>Carlin Brookshttps://plus.google.com/107514792240606633307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11103990.post-7007692101407275292013-08-09T19:12:00.001-05:002013-08-09T19:19:08.458-05:00The NET Bible<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I have stumbled across a new favorite Bible translation. &nbsp;It is the New English Translation with Notes. &nbsp;I downloaded it into my "<a href="http://www.olivetree.com/" target="_blank">Olive Tree</a>" app on both my Iphone and my Ipad. &nbsp;The New International Version Study Bible is also loaded in Olive Tree and for a while I used the NET with the NIV notes. &nbsp;This is also a great combination. &nbsp;But, I did not fully appreciate the value of the notes that come with the NET. &nbsp;The notes explain the translators' word choices. &nbsp;They even tell you the Greek and Hebrew words found in some of the different manuscripts, and how they have been translated in other verses.<br /><br />The reason I gave the notes closer examination is the words used in the first verse of my favorite Psalm. &nbsp;I love the 40th Psalm. &nbsp;In the NIV it begins, "I waited patiently for the Lord, he turned to me and heard my cry..." &nbsp;The NET reads: &nbsp;"<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">I relied completely on the</span><span style="background-color: white;">&nbsp;</span><span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white;">,&nbsp;</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">and he turned toward me and heard my cry for help". &nbsp;I have had the NIV version memorized since 1998. &nbsp;I recite it to myself very often, finding comfort and marveling at the depth and variety of its content. &nbsp;And, I've always had difficulty identifying with the writer right there at the beginning. &nbsp;I'm not very patient. &nbsp;Quite often I long for God to act, even move ahead and start down the wrong track because he doesn't act quick enough to suit me sometimes. &nbsp;But, in the long run, I do always rely on Him. &nbsp;I feel very comfortable with the NET rendition. &nbsp;</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">When I told my son about this, he said I was just selecting a translation because it agreed with me. &nbsp;Yes! &nbsp;That was true at first. &nbsp;Then I read the notes and saw that the translators had good reason for making the change. &nbsp;Now I've found several other passages they have improved as well, with clearer meaning and more inspiring messages.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Check it out for yourself. &nbsp;You can buy an electronic version from&nbsp;</span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;field-keywords=NET%20Bilbe&amp;linkCode=ur2&amp;tag=thinunse-20&amp;url=search-alias%3Daps" style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border: 0px; color: #003399; font-family: Verdana, Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Amazon</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thinunse-20&amp;l=ur2&amp;o=1" style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border: none !important; font-family: Verdana, Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px !important; text-align: -webkit-center;" width="1" />&nbsp;<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">for your Kindle for $4.95. &nbsp;If you don't have a Kindle, download the free Kindle Reader from Amazon and you can read it on your PC or Ipad. &nbsp;The hard copy is a little more expensive, follow the link to Amazon and you will see it offered for a sale price of $70.12. &nbsp;I understand that the reason the printed version is so expensive is that it was intended for electronic access, like Kindle and Olive Tree. &nbsp;The publishers intend to update and revise often responding to readers good reasons for edits and other valid insights.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">It is always a good idea to check several translations when studying scripture, but I always have a favorite - and for now its the NET - with notes.</span></div>Carlin Brookshttps://plus.google.com/107514792240606633307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11103990.post-43655934291930820372012-06-20T06:27:00.002-05:002013-05-04T10:38:40.530-05:00Charlie Daniels<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I am a huge Charlie Daniels fan! &nbsp;I'm afraid it is not just his music that lights my fire. &nbsp;What really impresses me is Mr. Daniels' courage and integrity to express his opinions and beliefs in the <a href="http://www.charliedaniels.com/soapbox-2012/soapbox-2012-main.htm">Soapbox</a> section of his web &nbsp;site. &nbsp;A friend of mine sent me a link to Mr. Daniels' speech at our local <a href="http://www.charliedaniels.com/soapbox-2012/soapbox-2012-0504.htm">National Day of Prayer</a> event last month. &nbsp;I was blown away by the candor and honesty of his remarks. &nbsp;It prompted me to check out some of his other entries and none of them disappointed me. &nbsp;Mr. Daniels makes a lot of sense about a lot of things. &nbsp;Anyway, follow the links on this little blog entry and enjoy.<br /><br />Be good to yourself,<br /><br /><a href="http://carlinbrooks.blogspot.com/">Pop</a></div>Carlin Brookshttps://plus.google.com/107514792240606633307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11103990.post-5678964312931585222012-05-17T10:28:00.001-05:002017-09-05T21:55:27.738-05:00"I reckon so..."<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">One of my favorite movies of all time is The Outlaw Josey Wales. &nbsp;And Clint Eastwood's (Josey Wale's) dialogue with Will Sampson (Ten Bears) may be my favorite movie conversation of all time. &nbsp;Kind of reminds me of Deuteronomy 30:11-20: <br /><div><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="text Deut-30-11"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">"11&nbsp;</sup>Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.&nbsp;<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-5720W&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference W&quot;&gt;W&lt;/a&gt;)"></sup></span><span class="text Deut-30-12" id="en-NIV-5721"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">12&nbsp;</sup>It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven&nbsp;<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-5721X&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference X&quot;&gt;X&lt;/a&gt;)"></sup>to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?”&nbsp;<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-5721Y&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference Y&quot;&gt;Y&lt;/a&gt;)"></sup></span><span class="text Deut-30-13" id="en-NIV-5722"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">13&nbsp;</sup>Nor is it beyond the sea,&nbsp;<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-5722Z&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference Z&quot;&gt;Z&lt;/a&gt;)"></sup>so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?”&nbsp;<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-5722AA&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference AA&quot;&gt;AA&lt;/a&gt;)"></sup></span><span class="text Deut-30-14" id="en-NIV-5723"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">14&nbsp;</sup>No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-5723AB&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference AB&quot;&gt;AB&lt;/a&gt;)"></sup></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="text Deut-30-15" id="en-NIV-5724"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">15&nbsp;</sup>See, I set before you today life&nbsp;<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-5724AC&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference AC&quot;&gt;AC&lt;/a&gt;)"></sup>and prosperity,&nbsp;<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-5724AD&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference AD&quot;&gt;AD&lt;/a&gt;)"></sup>death&nbsp;<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-5724AE&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference AE&quot;&gt;AE&lt;/a&gt;)"></sup>and destruction.&nbsp;<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-5724AF&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference AF&quot;&gt;AF&lt;/a&gt;)"></sup></span><span class="text Deut-30-16" id="en-NIV-5725"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">16&nbsp;</sup>For I command you today to love&nbsp;<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-5725AG&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference AG&quot;&gt;AG&lt;/a&gt;)"></sup>the&nbsp;<span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>&nbsp;your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live&nbsp;<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-5725AH&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference AH&quot;&gt;AH&lt;/a&gt;)"></sup>and increase, and the&nbsp;<span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>&nbsp;your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="text Deut-30-17" id="en-NIV-5726"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">17&nbsp;</sup>But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them,</span>&nbsp;<span class="text Deut-30-18" id="en-NIV-5727"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">18&nbsp;</sup>I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed.&nbsp;<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-5727AI&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference AI&quot;&gt;AI&lt;/a&gt;)"></sup>You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.</span></div><div><span class="text Deut-30-19" id="en-NIV-5728" style="font-family: &quot;charis sil&quot; , &quot;charis&quot; , &quot;verdana&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">19&nbsp;</sup>This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you&nbsp;<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-5728AJ&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference AJ&quot;&gt;AJ&lt;/a&gt;)"></sup>that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.&nbsp;<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-5728AK&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference AK&quot;&gt;AK&lt;/a&gt;)"></sup>Now choose life, so that you and your children may live</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;charis sil&quot; , &quot;charis&quot; , &quot;verdana&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">&nbsp;</span><span class="text Deut-30-20" id="en-NIV-5729" style="font-family: &quot;charis sil&quot; , &quot;charis&quot; , &quot;verdana&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">20&nbsp;</sup>and that you may love&nbsp;<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-5729AL&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference AL&quot;&gt;AL&lt;/a&gt;)"></sup>the&nbsp;<span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>&nbsp;your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the&nbsp;<span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>&nbsp;is your life,&nbsp;<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-5729AM&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference AM&quot;&gt;AM&lt;/a&gt;)"></sup>and he will give&nbsp;<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-5729AN&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference AN&quot;&gt;AN&lt;/a&gt;)"></sup>you many years in the land&nbsp;<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(&lt;a href=&quot;#cen-NIV-5729AO&quot; title=&quot;See cross-reference AO&quot;&gt;AO&lt;/a&gt;)"></sup>he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob."</span>&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Here it is for your comparison: &nbsp;<a href="http://youtu.be/eyPZFi2b380" target="_blank">Josey Wales and Ten Bears</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Be good to yourself - Choose Wisely.</div></div>Carlin Brookshttps://plus.google.com/107514792240606633307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11103990.post-79295475637876981952012-03-21T21:22:00.001-05:002012-05-17T10:53:20.436-05:00Marilynne Robinson<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Click on the title of this blog and buy this book. &nbsp;Marylynne Robinson is one of my heros. &nbsp;She not only is brave enough to defend Moses and the Old Testament, but she even took on Jon Stewart!<br /><br />This is a good read:<br /><br /><img alt="When I Was a Child I Read Books: Essays" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Hps601CvL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" /><br /><br />Be good to yourself.</div>Carlin Brookshttps://plus.google.com/107514792240606633307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11103990.post-19969516638073365432012-02-08T11:07:00.000-06:002012-05-17T11:30:46.201-05:00Jason Bybee<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Jason Bybee grew up at the College Hills church in Lebanon. He served as our Youth Minister Intern/Youth Minister during a most challenging summer for our Youth Ministry. He more than equaled the challenge of stepping in for a penitent, but disgraced Youth Minister. I learned to deeply appreciate Jason then, especially because my son was one of the kids being ministered to.<br /><br />Since then, he has faithfully served in Kingsport, TN and now at Mayfair in Huntsville, AL. I try not to miss any of his lessons on their web site and am always blessed by what I hear. Through listening for Jason I have also grown to love Gary Bradley. Mayfair has a unique situation with a seasoned and solid Gary Bradley taking the lead and building a most effective ministry team with a younger but equally solid Jason.<br /><br />Grab this opportunity to hear what I am talking about. Click on Jason's name in the title of this blog and select lessons that will bless your life. May God continue to use His family at Mayfair to bless all who will come to Him.<br /><br />By the way, for those of you who are appalled at the spiritual condition of our country do not miss Dr. Robert Delihar's lesson on "God and Country" - July 4, 2010.<br /><br />Carlin</div>Carlin Brookshttps://plus.google.com/107514792240606633307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11103990.post-44295995114350085472012-01-05T08:18:00.001-06:002012-08-31T08:34:09.495-05:00Om<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">"Om" is a mantra often suggested by teachers of Eastern religions. &nbsp;Just sit cross-legged, meditate on as little content as possible and say "Om". &nbsp;The objective is to be one with "Brahman" for the Indian influenced portion of the world and "nothing" for the remainder of Asia.<br /><br />Westerners like us don't find either "Brahman" or "nothing" very appealing ... for the most part. &nbsp;The only real attraction to these religions is the lack of boundaries and rules. &nbsp;When the God you are drawn to includes a code of conduct many people look for another god.<br /><br />You may not notice too many of the people you know being drawn to Eastern religions. &nbsp;But you probably will notice a few showing interest in ideas that are expressed in conversations, books or authors suggested by Oprah Winfrey. &nbsp;Or maybe they are just watching the dramas, "reality shows" or situation comedies which push the boundaries and code of conduct suggested by God out into a modern, free, boundless lifestyle suggested by ... "nothing".<br /><br />May I suggest a possibility. &nbsp;"nothing" may be something. &nbsp;He may be Satan.<br /><br />So, what do we do about it? &nbsp;Start by educating yourself about the world views held by the people around you. &nbsp;Equip yourself to be more able to recognize the symptoms of a society drifting toward ... "nothing".<br /><br />I have found one book which speaks more clearly than any other I've read to this real spiritual battlefield. &nbsp;It is a book, written by a Christian and used by many Universities for over 20 years to teach World Views and Comparative Religions. &nbsp;Check out&nbsp;<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Universe-Next-Door-Worldview-Catalog/dp/0830838503/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1325773717&amp;sr=8-1">The Universe Next Door: &nbsp;A Catalog of Worldviews. </a>&nbsp;Your life will be blessed with a clarity of understanding which I think you will find you have been looking for, for quite some time.<br /><br />Be good to yourself,<br /><br />Pop</div>Carlin Brookshttps://plus.google.com/107514792240606633307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11103990.post-26408625031633024652011-12-15T11:05:00.000-06:002012-08-26T11:00:21.990-05:00Am Segula<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I've been listening to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UYon5hey7A">Randy Harris</a> again. (If you want to be blessed by listening to him yourself, just click on the title of this blog.) I'm quite sure brain cells are fried with each encounter. He was talking about Am Segula - said it was Hebrew for "God's chosen people." He made a wonderful application of this, so naturally I had to Google it. First, I HEARD him say "omsaygoola". Try googleing that. It took me about an hour to figure out how to spell it close enough to get the hits I was searching for. Best reference was Shemot 19:5. Well,since I'm no scholar it took another 30 minutes for me to learn that "Shemot" is Exodus. OK, Exodus 19:5. Turns out the NIV with "God's treasured possession" hits it on the head.<br /><br />It is most amazing and incredible that God would choose me!! Praise God that through Jesus Christ his answer to me is always "YES!!" <br /><br />AMEN, to the glory of God.<br /><br />Randy taught this to one of his classes at Abilene and one of the ministerial students had the word tatooed on his arm. Yea, good one to have etched into your skin to remind you of who you really are.<br /><br />Be good to yourself.<br /><br />Pop</div>Carlin Brookshttps://plus.google.com/107514792240606633307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11103990.post-21055584569103568992011-12-08T11:01:00.000-06:002013-10-18T10:16:11.893-05:00Letter from Birmingham Jail<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you click on the title for this blog you can read the entire letter composed by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in August of 1963. It is a remarkable document. Dr. King wrote with such kindness and patience, yet still was able to defend his reasons for peaceful, non-violent demonstrations. &nbsp;He wrote the letter in response to a newspaper article he was given. &nbsp;The article was a "Call for Unity" penned by a group of 5 Christian ministers, inexplicably seeking to make a "Christian Case" against the civil rights movement.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">Here are some of the powerful words Dr. King wrote from jail...:</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span><br /><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 1em;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But more basically, I am in Birmingham because injustice is here.&nbsp; Just as the prophets of the eighth century B.C. left their villages and carried their “thus saith the Lord” far beyond the boundaries of their home towns, and just as the Apostle Paul left his village of Tarsus and carried the gospel of Jesus Christ to the far corners of the Greco-Roman world, so am I compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my own home town.&nbsp; Like Paul, I must constantly respond to the Macedonian call for aid!</span></em></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 1em;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.&nbsp; We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.&nbsp; Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.</span></em></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 1em;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You may well ask:&nbsp; “Why direct action?&nbsp; Why sit-ins, marches, and so forth?&nbsp; Isn’t negotiation a better path?”&nbsp; You are quite right in calling for negotiation.&nbsp; Indeed, this is the very purpose of direct action.&nbsp; Nonviolent direct action seeks to create such a crisis and foster such a tension that a community which has constantly refused to negotiate is forced to confront the issue.&nbsp; It seeks to so dramatize the issue that it can no longer be ignored.</span></em></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 1em;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Frankly, I have yet to engage in a direct-action campaign that was “well timed” in the view of those who have not suffered unduly from the disease of segregation.&nbsp; For years now I have heard the word “Wait!”&nbsp; It rings in the ear of every Negro with piercing familiarity.&nbsp; This “Wait” has almost always meant “Never.”&nbsp; We must come to see, with one of our distinguished jurists, that “justice too long delayed is justice denied.”</span></em></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 1em;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One may ask:&nbsp; “How can you advocate breaking some laws and obeying others?”&nbsp; The answer lies in the fact that there are two types of laws: just and unjust.&nbsp; I would be the first to advocate obeying just laws.&nbsp; One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws.&nbsp; Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.&nbsp; I would agree with St. Augustine that “an unjust law is no law at all.”</span></em></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 1em;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you are able to see the distinction I am trying to point out.&nbsp; In no sense do I advocate evading or defying the law, as would the rabid segregationist.&nbsp; That would lead to anarchy.&nbsp; One who breaks an unjust law must do so openly, lovingly, and with a willingness to accept the penalty.&nbsp; I submit that an individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for law.</span></em></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 1em;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating that absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will.&nbsp; Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering that outright rejection.</span></em></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 1em;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But though I was initially disappointed at being categorized as an extremist, as I continued to think about the matter I gradually gained a measure of satisfaction from the label.&nbsp; Was not Jesus an extremist for love:&nbsp; “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”&nbsp; Was not Amos an extremist for justice:&nbsp; “Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”&nbsp; Was not Paul an extremist for the Christian gospel:&nbsp; “I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.”&nbsp; Was not Martin Luther an extremist:&nbsp; “Here I stand; I cannot do otherwise, so help me God.”&nbsp; And John Bunyan:&nbsp; “I will stay in jail to the end of my days before I make a butchery of my conscience.”&nbsp; And Abraham Lincoln:&nbsp; “This nation cannot survive half slave and half free.”&nbsp; And Thomas Jefferson:&nbsp; “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…”</span></em></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 1em;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So the question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be.&nbsp; Will we be extremists for hate or for love?&nbsp; Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice or for the extension of justice?</span></em></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 1em;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Never before have I written so long a letter.&nbsp; I’m afraid it is much too long to take your precious time.&nbsp; I can assure you that it would have been much shorter if I had been writing from a comfortable desk, but what else can one do when he is alone in a narrow jail cell, other than write long letters, think long thoughts, and pray long prayers?</span></em></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 1em;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope this letter finds you strong in the faith.&nbsp; I also hope that circumstances will soon make it possible for me to meet each of you, not as an integrationist or a civil-rights leader but as a fellow clergyman and a Christian brother.&nbsp; Let us all hope that the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away and the deep fog of misunderstanding will be lifted from our fear drenched communities, and in some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty.</span></em></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 1em;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yours for the cause of Peace and Brotherhood,</span></em></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 1em;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Martin Luther King, Jr.</span></em></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was 15 in 1963 and did not have the character or maturity to understand the heroic and moral stance Dr. King and his followers were taking.&nbsp;I am ashamed to say, my sympathy was with Bull Conner's German Shepherd's and the Birmingham Policemen.&nbsp;I grew up in a West Tennessee community which was 100% segregated. &nbsp;The gasoline stations in our town had rest rooms for Men, Women and Colored. &nbsp;The Court House had rest rooms in the building for White Men and White Women, but the one for "Colored" was in the basement which had to be accessed by walking outside and around to the side of the building. &nbsp;It flooded each time it rained. &nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As Dr. King sat in the Birmingham jail, I was worried that our schools might be integrated and that I and my white classmates might have to attend school with blacks. &nbsp;(If I had written this in 1963 I can assure you the name I used for blacks would have been offensive.) &nbsp;I did not attend school with African American students until I was a Senior in High School, and then it was only with a dozen, hand picked students who had the courage to stand up to my and my classmates narrow minded bigotry. &nbsp;I did nothing cruel or mean other than to ignore them and pretend they were not there. &nbsp;While I did not participate in the slurs uttered behind their back, or the mean tricks that were played on them, I am painfully ashamed to say I felt no remorse for their plight. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp;When Dr. King was murdered in 1968 I was a student at Freed-Hardeman College, a Christian College. &nbsp;I did not feel the hurt and disappointment I would later, I felt apathy toward Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. and his people, and concern for the destruction and violence in the riots which followed his assassination. Well, I am truly sorry now and have tremendous respect for all that Dr. King accomplished on behalf of not only his own race, but for all of us. &nbsp;I think he was the greatest orator of the 20th century. Take the time to listen to his speeches and appreciate the articulate way he expressed their plight. &nbsp;Consider for a moment the fact that his words had tremendous effect. &nbsp;As difficult and confusing as our present society may be, love for all people characterizes it much more today than it did in 1963.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(I do not deserve for you to take even a moment, but if you would say a prayer for me, asking Almighty God to forgive my youthful, ignorant, hateful bigotry I will be eternally grateful.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, we live in an age devoid of great oratory. Instead we circulate hateful and mean spirited e-mails which misrepresent and insult the other side of whatever political or social position we occupy.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's return to a time when we can really listen to and understand the other person's point of view. We may not agree, but we will be better able to explain why. And who knows, we may find common ground.</span></div></div>Carlin Brookshttps://plus.google.com/107514792240606633307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11103990.post-42272196776246316222011-11-18T08:28:00.005-06:002012-05-17T10:55:24.371-05:00...So Many Books...So Little Time<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Books are such a joy! &nbsp;I've been thinking lately about how books and friends lead me to other friends and books. &nbsp;The pleasure I find in reading good books is enhanced when I can share a new find with a friend who appreciates a particular author or genre. &nbsp;And, I appreciate new books and authors suggested by friends who think of me when they read, and pass them along.<br /><br />Here is what I think is an interesting path. &nbsp;When Max Lucado began to be published I could not wait for his subsequent books: &nbsp;<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Anvil-Max-Lucado/dp/1414315538/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1321622192&amp;sr=8-2">On the Anvil</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wonder-They-Call-Him-Savior/dp/B0033AGT7W/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1321622391&amp;sr=1-1">No Wonder They Call Him the Savior</a>&nbsp;were such treasures that I have given countless copies away over the years. &nbsp;But, soon after they were published I began this path which has been a thrill to travel. &nbsp;I grew up in the Church of Christ and tended to read authors who were also members of the Church of Christ. &nbsp;But back at the time I was reading these books I noticed that not only did Lucado quote from authors outside our tribe, so did several teachers and preachers I trusted. &nbsp;C.S. Lewis was one of the first I began to devour. &nbsp;<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_16?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&amp;field-keywords=surprised+by+joy+c.s.+lewis&amp;sprefix=Surprised+by+joy">Surprised by Joy</a>&nbsp;was the first Lewis book for me, followed quickly by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_16?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&amp;field-keywords=surprised+by+joy+c.s.+lewis&amp;sprefix=Surprised+by+joy#/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_6?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&amp;field-keywords=mere+christianity+c.s.+lewis&amp;sprefix=mere+c&amp;rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3Amere+christianity+c.s.+lewis">Mere Christianity</a>&nbsp;and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Screwtape-Letters-Proposes-Toast/dp/0060652896/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1321623022&amp;sr=1-1">The Screwtape Letters</a>. &nbsp;I can't begin to describe how these books blessed my life, as they have so many others. &nbsp;As you may have experienced yourself, I could not get enough Lewis. &nbsp;You can easily follow his other books on Amazon and suffice it to say, I've read more of them than not.<br /><br />But, here is where my book path gets interesting. &nbsp;Lewis quoted others who led me off on delightful tangents: &nbsp;<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Works-Chesterton-active-contents-ebook/dp/B002AMUDOO/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1321623375&amp;sr=1-1">G.K. Chesterton</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_3?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&amp;field-keywords=tolkien&amp;sprefix=Tol">J.R.R. Tolkien</a>, and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Complete-George-MacDonald-contents-ebook/dp/B0032UY4Q6/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1321623591&amp;sr=1-2">George MacDonald</a>&nbsp;were wonderful. &nbsp;<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&amp;sort=relevancerank&amp;search-alias=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;field-author=Fyodor%20Dostoevsky">Fyodor Dostoyevesky</a>&nbsp;has been quoted by many of these mentioned and I know I will enjoy his books ... when I have the time. &nbsp;But along the way I have searched out modern day authors, too.<br /><br />A few months ago &nbsp;I noticed <a href="http://www.amazon.com/God-Who-Smokes-Scandalous-Meditations/dp/1600062474/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1321624051&amp;sr=1-1">The God Who Smokes</a>&nbsp;on <a href="http://alangable.com/?now_reading_library=true">Alan Gable's blog</a>. &nbsp;This is one of the few books I read and started over and read again, three times! &nbsp;And Timothy Stoner suggested another writer I'm still exploring, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/C-S-Lewis-Third-Millennium-Abolition/dp/0898705231/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1321625528&amp;sr=1-1-fkmr0">Peter Kreeft</a>. &nbsp;Kreeft introduced me to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Cosmos-Last-Self-Help-Book/dp/0312253990/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1321625683&amp;sr=1-1">Walker Percy</a>. <br /><br />Let me stick another little tangent in which will reward you if you were to choose to follow my path a bit ... Steve Hawley is the only published author I have known as a true and dear friend. &nbsp;He writes delightful devotionals daily on his <a href="http://www.stevehawley.blogspot.com/">blog</a>. &nbsp;But you will not want to miss his <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1591605016/qid=1056741761/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/103-9882119-3644640">book</a>.<br /><br />These books just keep getting better and better ... so little time!<br /><br />And lest you get the idea that all I care to read is of a spiritual bent - The last book I finished was <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Unbroken-World-Survival-Resilience-Redemption/dp/1400064163/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1321625902&amp;sr=1-1">Unbroken</a> by Laura Hillenbrand. &nbsp;The book was inspiring, but even more so when I learned how Hillenbrand fought through Chronic Fatigue Syndrome to write not only this book but also <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Seabiscuit-American-Legend-Laura-Hillenbrand/dp/0449005615/ref=pd_sim_b_3">Seabiscuit</a>.<br /><br />Of course I love to browse in book stores, but I'm very selective in what I buy. &nbsp;Our bookshelves are all full so I need to give at least one book away each time I buy one. &nbsp;I picked up <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Naming-Elephant-Worldview-as-Concept/dp/083082779X">Naming the Elephant</a> by James W. Sire a couple of years ago. &nbsp;When I saw the title I assumed that the book was about the phenomenon of the "Elephant in the room" ie. a subject which everyone knows better than to mention. &nbsp;I was wrong. &nbsp;This is a delightful, informative book comparing the various "Worldviews". &nbsp;Check it out for yourself. &nbsp;It will bless your life. &nbsp;Dr. Sire "wrote &nbsp;the book" on Worldviews. &nbsp;Check out <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0830827803/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&amp;me=&amp;seller=">The Universe Next Door: &nbsp;A Catalog of Worldviews</a>. &nbsp;I heartily recommend both of these books.<br /><br />Catherine Agee is a friend who shares her latest <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Litigators-John-Grisham/dp/0385535139/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1321626280&amp;sr=1-1">John Grisham</a> book with me and I welcome these escapes. &nbsp;If he could only learn to end his books "happy" instead of trying to surprise us.<br /><br />I hope you've enjoyed this little map of my reading. &nbsp;Whenever I can't decide what to read next I often go back to <a href="http://alangable.com/">Alan's blog</a> and let him suggest. &nbsp;I find his taste to be challenging and rewarding - sure reminds me of someone we both love dearly.<br /><br />Be good to yourself.</div>Carlin Brookshttps://plus.google.com/107514792240606633307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11103990.post-52719826356544773312011-09-11T13:14:00.000-05:002012-05-17T10:55:50.675-05:00David Wright, Artist<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">H. David Wright is a marvelously talented realist. &nbsp;Check out <a href="http://www.davidwrightart.com/detail.php?function=detail&amp;recordID=120"><i>this example</i></a> of his work and explore the other prints and information about him. &nbsp;His subject and his passion is history. &nbsp;He has indicated that his paintings and prints have a story to tell - and do they ever tell it well. &nbsp;He paints "heros". &nbsp;We stand on the shoulders of the heros who have gone before us and need to be grateful to them. &nbsp;We also need to know as much as we can about their mistakes and successes. &nbsp;It is pointless for us to repeat their mistakes. &nbsp;It is admirable to emulate their successes.<br /><br />Be good to yourself</div>Carlin Brookshttps://plus.google.com/107514792240606633307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11103990.post-23223629935651854942011-05-19T00:07:00.002-05:002012-05-17T11:02:58.421-05:00Higher Ground<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/F2emsPPCH4c" width="425"></iframe><br /><br />I liked this YouTube video so much I decided to link it to the title of this blog. Thanks to Beverly Hull for posting it and Don for showing it on his facebook page.<br /><br />Enjoy,<br /><br />Pop</div>Carlin Brookshttps://plus.google.com/107514792240606633307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11103990.post-51820745734012475592011-03-17T11:08:00.000-05:002012-05-17T11:28:34.749-05:00"Reaffirm the Ancient Story"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Robert Bruce Williams was a college professor in New Jersey. He had a hobby and a talent for writing hymns during the late 20th century that sounded like they were written in the 18th or 19th. Mr. Williams wrote the following hymn and sent it to Dr. Jerry Rushford at Pepperdine University:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Come O Lord in Radiant Glory</span><br /><br />Come O Lord in Radiant Glory<br />Let Your splendor shine anew<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Reaffirm the ancient story</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Still as fresh as morning dew</span><br /><br />Lord of mercy<br />Lord of goodness<br />Lead us to a vision clear<br />Lead us to a vision clear<br /><br />Bring accord of lasting vigor<br />To all people in this hour<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Make our sons and daughters eager</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">For Your guiding light and power</span><br /><br />Lord of mercy<br />Lord of goodness<br />Grant to us Your guiding light<br />Grant to us Your guiding light.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> - Robert Bruce Williams</span><br /><br />Sing to the tune of "CWM RHONDA" by John Hughes, 1873-1932 (see "Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah" by William Williams, 1717-1791)<br /><br />Notice some words in the song for a moment.<br /><br />"<span style="font-style: italic;">Reaffirm the Ancient Story still as fresh as morning dew.</span>" This is the most important thing we will ever do. Make sure the Ancient Story is clear in our own minds and help our children and their children catch a vision of it as fresh as morning dew.<br /><br />"<span style="font-style: italic;">Make our sons and daughters eager for your guiding light and power</span>." This is a prayer to God for him to accomplish. Only he can germinate the seed in the lives of our kids and grandkids to truly seek his Spirit.<br /><br />My debt for this little article is to Dr. Jerry Rushford and to Robert Bruce Williams.<br /><br />Be good to yourself.</div>Carlin Brookshttps://plus.google.com/107514792240606633307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11103990.post-42047165168628655242010-11-16T22:28:00.007-06:002012-05-17T11:25:54.514-05:00Included?<div>(Click on the "Included?" title of this blog to listen to Randy Harris talk about this subject himself.)</div><div><br /></div>Luke 15 is my favorite chapter in the Bible. I love the word picture Jesus paints of the Father who is willing, and even anxious to <b><i>run</i></b> to meet his returning prodigal son. I recently heard a lesson by <a href="http://www.wwjdtoday.com/Tulsa2010/13_Greatest%20Story%20Ever%20%28The%20Prodigal%20God%29_Rick%20Atchley_Tulsa2010_41min.mp3">Rick Atchley</a> in which he speaks of the shame of the father hiking his robe up exposing his knees when he ran. That shame may seem insignificant to us today, but in Jesus time it was quite significant. He accepted and transferred the shame aimed at his son to himself. How like Jesus!<br /><br />But, Randy Harris has pointed out that Jesus has another point to make in this chapter. Jesus could have stopped with the return of the prodigal. Then he would have had a triple play - the lost sheep, the lost coin, the lost son - same story told three times for emphasis. But he has another story for us to hear. He wants us to know about the older brother. <div><br /></div><div>The opening lines of the chapter tell about the Pharisees who object to Jesus associating with sinners. As in the closing melody of an overture Jesus brings this chapter to an end by going back to his opening theme. The older brother does not have room for his penitent brother, like the Pharisees did not have room for the sinners. </div><div><br /></div><div>Luke 15 is still my favorite. But, now I realize that taking satisfaction in the "God who runs" is not enough. I also have to find a way to join him in finding room for the sinners, the great unwashed, the "K-mart crowd," the Anawim. Because when I look honestly and carefully at this group, I see my own face among them.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>May God open my eyes that I may see His precious Son when I see every man, every woman, every child. May he help me remember his unquenchable, never ending, awesome love that prompted him to send his one and only son to die for each one of them, and for me.</div><div><br /></div><div>Be good to yourselves.</div>Carlin Brookshttps://plus.google.com/107514792240606633307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11103990.post-38285275936442507872010-10-12T07:40:00.004-05:002012-08-26T11:02:33.937-05:00Gentle Whisper<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">When God defeated the prophets of Baal through his prophet Elijah, Elijah must have been elated beyond all imagination. But, when Jezebel put out a contract on him he ran from one end of the country to the other. He went to a cave on Mt. Sinai. God met him there and asked him what was the matter. Here is his answer: "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."<br /><br />The victory over Baal's prophets is forgotten. Elijah's focus is consumed by Jezebel's threat. He has run from one end of the country to the other to escape and to seek understanding. He is overwhelmed. God puts on quite a show for Elijah. He sends storms and earthquakes, followed by a gentle whisper. Then he asks him again to tell him what is the matter. Elijah's answer was the same as before. God does not explain to Elijah the significance or meaning of all that is happening. Instead he gives him a "to do" list which must have been routine for a prophet of God. He says in effect, "Ok, Elijah, remember who you are and get back to doing what you do. Rejoin me in my work."<br /><br />If Elijah was overwhelmed, why should we be surprised when we are? If Elijah (and Job) did not get the explanation he was looking for, why should we expect to? God's message to us is the same as to Elijah: "Remember who you are (Am Segula - 'My treasured possession') and rejoin me in my work."<br /><br />Be good to yourself.<br /><br />Pop</div>Carlin Brookshttps://plus.google.com/107514792240606633307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11103990.post-14723742275621740032010-09-14T07:03:00.002-05:002012-05-17T11:04:48.309-05:00AnawimOdd that a word that is used to describe the poorest of the poor has such richness at its core. You will be blessed if you take the time to explore this word. It labels all sorts of groups who have made it their mission to be a real blessing to those who need it most. They provide not only housing, food, clothing - but more importantly companionship, community and love. <br /><br />And, when we manage to apply the word to ourselves we find that we are most useful to God when we recognize our own ineptitude and his Power.<br /><br />PopCarlin Brookshttps://plus.google.com/107514792240606633307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11103990.post-58457832327838240572010-08-30T08:41:00.003-05:002012-05-17T10:56:40.000-05:00Adam TuneDo you enjoy being challenged to think? Click on the title of this blog to access the latest sermons by Adam. You can "right click" the title of a sermon and "save the link" listen to it later. Or, just "left click" on the title to listen now.<br /><br />His lessons will make you think - based on the authority of scripture. His lessons will make you give serious consideration to the way you live, the things you do.<br /><br />I hunger and thirst for these kinds of lessons. Join me, and enjoy the feast!Carlin Brookshttps://plus.google.com/107514792240606633307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11103990.post-42733523214414464312010-08-14T12:55:00.006-05:002012-05-17T10:56:39.989-05:00Simple FaithRandy Harris delivered <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://philwilson.podomatic.com/entry/2006-08-01T21_41_02-07_00">this message</a> in 2006. I download a lot of podcasts and have heard him give this same lesson numbers of time. It must be very important to him, he does not vary in its content or presentation. I don't think he knows how to improve on this, otherwise he would make some changes.<br /><br />I really believe Randy is on to something. As an elder, like any religious leader, I sometimes have to be concerned with who is a member of our church and who is not. I don't know how to implement the criteria Randy suggests for opening our doors to all, but the simplicity of what he is suggesting has strong appeal. May God help us to find whatever it takes to be as open as Jesus. May He forgive us for every time we have stood in the way of people trying to get in.<br /><br />PopCarlin Brookshttps://plus.google.com/107514792240606633307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11103990.post-57923795886534837012010-06-08T22:56:00.003-05:002012-05-17T10:56:39.997-05:00What's in YOUR Garden??<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_R8pndH7pB_g/TA8Uz-b3ToI/AAAAAAAAAEw/zsTfikaMCYA/s1600/351627659_846b93f5ce.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_R8pndH7pB_g/TA8Uz-b3ToI/AAAAAAAAAEw/zsTfikaMCYA/s320/351627659_846b93f5ce.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480622154698935938" border="0" /></a><br />Seeing all the gardens around made me think of my mother today. She was always looking for a way to teach me to work and was not afraid to show the way. When I was 7 or 8 she told me one spring day, "It's time we spaded up the garden."<br /><br />We took our shovels and spaded up the garden. It took days to get the ground all broken up with our shovels, forks, hoes and rakes. This became one of our annual traditions for a few years. Then when I was about 12 a marvelous person came by for a visit. He was a elderly black man with a team of mules and a wagon with a plow. He offered to break up the ground in our garden plot for a small fee. (Where had this man and his mules been for 4 years??!)<br /><br />His mules had marvelous feet, too. They must have been descended from Clydesdales.<br /><br />Anyway, we no longer spaded up the garden. All we had to do was hoe, fork, rake, plant, water, weed, apply pest control (DDT in all likelihood) and pick. My mother was not done even with all that - she canned. ...and canned ... and canned.<br /><br />Then in rural west Tennessee in the 50's and 60's we went to school for a month and then got out for 6 weeks of "Cotton Picking". Some kids got 6 additional weeks of vacation. Not me, my mother made me a cute little cotton sack when I was 6 and we picked cotton. She amused herself developing my cotton picking prowess until I could climb up on Doug Howell's bob truck and go to his fields when I was 12 or so. Doug would recruit his friends to help him harvest his crop and we actually enjoyed being together and picking his cotton. Thanks Doug.<br /><br />And thank you Mother. Because of you I really would not know how to live without a job. You taught me that being able to work is a tremendous blessing. I wish you could work by my side again.<br /><br />Be good to yourselves.<br /><br />PopCarlin Brookshttps://plus.google.com/107514792240606633307noreply@blogger.com0